Dress code policies have been singling girls out since before anyone can remember, and people are deciding to take a stand. This has transformed into a nationwide issue sparking outrage and protests. From crop tops to spaghetti straps, schools are not tolerating what they consider inappropriate clothing.

So what is the reasoning behind this? Well, most schools actually claim that certain people’s attire may be distracting to those around them. WY’s Student Code of Conduct threatens to punish those whose clothing “may disrupt the educational process.” This begs the question, how do exposed shoulders disrupt the educational process? It doesn’t seem to make much sense. In fact, humiliating a student in front of their peers and pulling them out of class – wasting valuable learning time – is more disruptive than anything else.

Certain aspects of the dress code are understandable. Administrators feel they have a responsibility to teach students how to dress properly. No one should be showing up to school in a bikini, and students know this. But rather than utilizing positive reinforcement and encouraging young female students, schools are sexualizing their bodies. Leggings and exposed shoulders are somehow too seductive for a learning environment. Wearing short shorts is seen as a way to attract attention rather than a fashion choice girls make for themselves.

Some teachers don’t realize that when they tell students to cover up or “put on some real shorts,” all it does is make them feel ashamed of their body. These comments are degrading. This tells young women that they should stop being proud of their bodies and avoid showing them off at all costs. Not only that, but these types of remarks also promote rape culture. The basis of most dress codes supports the ridiculous idea that it is a girl’s responsibility to hide her body rather than a boy’s responsibility to control himself.

It is true that there are rules that apply to boys – and a boy typically wouldn’t be seen exposing his midriff anyway. But rules about attire are inherently sexist and aimed towards girls. For example, many volleyball girls have been scolded for leaving practice with nothing on to cover their spandex while cross country boys are allowed to practice completely shirtless. This double standard demonstrates how girls are harshly judged by the way they dress and act. Their self-worth is often defined by whether or not they measure up to society’s standards of propriety. If dress codes won’t change, neither will this way of thinking.

Another argument schools make is that they need to prepare students for the “real world.” We need to learn how to make good impressions and dress professionally to prepare us for things like job interviews later in our lives. The thing is, we are teenagers going to school, not to a job interview. The day will come when we have to dress professionally, but until that day comes, we should take advantage of this time in our lives to express ourselves and celebrate our individuality. Our youth is when we discover who we are, and dress codes are taking that away from us.

Hopefully schools will soon realize the absurdity behind their logic and young students will have the freedom to dress as they please.